If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), you probably think of Viagra because it’s the most well-known brand of medication in a group called PDE-5 inhibitors. PDE-5 inhibitors work by allowing more blood to flow to the penis and It was approved by the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998.

Although Viagra is considered the most popular method of treating erectile dysfunction, there are quite a few other options on the market. These include different PDE-5 inhibitor drugs, devices that can help you get and maintain an erection long enough to have sex.

Viagra Alternative Medicine For Erectile Dysfunction  

Because of each medication’s unique chemical makeup, your body may respond differently to each of them. It may take a small trial and error to decide which one works best for you.

Taking oral medications normally isn’t enough to provide an erection. These medicines are designed to work alongside physical or emotional sexual stimulation to prompt an erection

Other Viagra alternatives prescription medications used to treat ED are:

Tadalafil (Cialis)

Cialis is an oral pill that starts to work about half an hour after you take it. It can make a better erectile function for up to 36 hours. The starting dose is 10 milligrams (mg), but it can be increased or decreased as required. You can take it as needed, but never more than once a day. Cialis can be intake with or without food.

There is also a  once-a-day version. These 2.5-mg pills must be taken at the same time every day.

Vardenafil (Staxyn)

Staxyn is different from the other ED drugs in that you don’t swallow it with water. You have to put the pill on your tongue and allow it to dissolve. You should do this about an hour before any sexual activity.

You should not crush or split the tablet. This pill can be taken with or without meals, but not with liquids. The tablets hold 10 mg of medication that shouldn’t be taken more than once a day.

Avanafil (Stendra)

Stendra comes in 50, 100, and 200-mg Pills. You can intake it about 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity, but never more than once a day. You can intake with or without a meal.

Other treatment- without pills 

These are treatments that you put straight onto or into the penis. They are mostly available as a cream or an injection. These treatments have some side effects than PDE-5 inhibitors but can be more difficult to use. They also do not generally last long. 

The active ingredient is used in topical treatments is alprostadil. It makes the blood vessels get wider, which helps to get an erection. Alprostadil is available in the market in the form of injections under the brand name Caverject.

Viagra alternatives that do not involve taking medication

Few people are able to avoid erectile dysfunction by trying other ways of treating the condition.

Lifestyle changes

There are quite a few things about your lifestyle that affect how well your blood is flowing around your body. Having better blood flow can help you to get or keep an erection. these few things can help to avoid erectile dysfunction:

• Keeping to a healthy weight for your size
• Exercising regularly
• Not smoking
• Eating a balanced diet, and avoiding processed, high-fat food
• Limiting how much alcohol you drink
• Not taking illegal drugs
• Reducing stress

Pelvic floor exercises

Doing pelvic floor exercises will definitely help you build up the muscles around the penis This will make the blood flow to these muscles more smoothly.  It can take quite a few months of doing regular pelvic floor exercises to see any changes.

Sex therapy

few men may experience erectile dysfunction because of the way they’re feeling. If you have a low mood or mental health problems, this can have an effect on your potential to get or keep an erection.

Erectile dysfunction can also be the cause of mental-health concerns which can generate a cycle that’s hard to break. Talking to someone about how you feel can be very helpful. That someone could be your partner, a friend, a member of your family, or someone who works in healthcare, like a doctor.

You can talk to a counselor who specializes in sex therapy. You can do this alone or together with a partner, or both. Your doctor may mention you for therapy or you can get in touch with a therapist yourself. 

Vacuum pumps

A  vacuum pump utilizes air pressure to get blood into the penis Once enough blood in the penis, a ring is placed at the base to stop the blood from going back. The ring can be kept on for no more than 30 minutes. If it’s left on for a very long time it might damage the penis.

Penile implants

Penile implants are devices placed inner part of the penis. There are two different kinds: one which inflates and the second one which makes the penis firm at all times. For both types you need to have an operation, so they’re mostly only offered to men who’ve already tried other ways to avoid erectile dysfunction.

Viagra alternatives risk factors and side effects

Before taking any other viagra alternatives ED medication, tell your doctor about any preexisting health conditions you have. You should also tell your doctor about any other drugs or supplements you’re currently taking. Some ED medicine can interact with other medicines and cause serious side effects

You should not take ED medications if you:

• take nitrates, which are usually prescribed for chest pain (angina)
• have low blood pressure (hypotension)

Also, your doctor might advise against taking ED medications if you:

• take certain other medicines that may interact with the ED medicine 
• have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
• are on dialysis due to kidney disease
• have liver disease

The most general side effects of ED drugs are temporary. They are:

• Headache
• back pain
• muscle aches
• indigestion or upset stomach
• stuffy or runny nose
• flushing

Although it’s uncommon, few ED drugs can cause a painful erection that won’t go away. this is also known as priapism. If an erection lasts for a very long time it can damage your penis. If your erection lasts more than four hours, you should get immediate medical attention. 

Other rare symptoms of ED medication are changes to hearing and vision, including color vision.

Natural or herbal remedies for erectile dysfunction

If you take medication for other health conditions, you might not be able to take an oral medication for ED. Although there are some natural remedies that may work to relieve your symptoms, more research is needed to determine the efficacy. Many products claim to cure ED however, there isn’t always enough research that backs up those claims. 

Whatever Viagra alternatives you choose, it’s best to discuss it with your doctor before use. They can help you decide whether this is the best option for you or not. 

L-arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid a substance naturally made by the body that relaxes the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow to the penis. One 1999 study found that oral L-arginine was no better than a placebo in treating ED, but another study found some evidence that high doses of L-arginine can improve blood flow and help ED. Potential side effects of use are nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. You should not take this if you take Viagra.

Red ginseng

Red ginseng is a natural herbal supplement. A 2008 systemic review of seven studies found that red ginseng probably effective in treating ED. Researchers previse that more high-quality studies are needed to better determine the potential benefits and risks of this supplement.

If you plan to take ginseng, you should speak to your doctor about dosing. Side effects of taking this medicine are headache, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal problems.

Tell your doctor first if you’re taking other medications because they can interact with the supplement and lead to harmful side effects. Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, so it should be used with caution if you are also taking medication for diabetes.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice used for several conditions. Although it’s been suggested that acupuncture can treat ED, there’s little evidence regarding its effect. 

A 2016 systemic review failed to prove that only acupuncture was effective in treating ED. The authors did note that the small sample size and poor quality of the studies involved. Further research is needed.

If you’re considering acupuncture for the alternative of Viagra search for a qualified and certified practitioner

The most usual remedies that people believe can help erectile dysfunction are:

• DHEA: a hormone that the body can turn into testosterone
• horny goat weed: an old Chinese remedy that is thought to work in a very similar way to Viagra
• zinc: a vitamin that is said to help create male hormones

treatments for erectile dysfunction might be available in the future 

Current research in erectile dysfunction treatment has focused on the following options:

• Low-energy electrical shocks to increase blood flow to the penis
• DNA injections
• Drugs that help with sexual arousal
• Drugs that repair nerve damage
• Stem-cell therapy
• Drugs that strengthen the muscles used for in an erection

Viagra alternatives to treat ED includes blood vessel surgery, vacuum pumps, and penile implants. If the problem persists, talk to your doctor about these and also other alternatives.